System and method for signifying intent for lock operation

Abstract

A lock device is configured to receive a credential from a mobile device. The lock device is configured to monitor the distance between the mobile device and the lock device. The lock device is configured to detect an intent action by a user of the mobile device and unlock the lock device if the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device and the intent action is an approved intent action.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 determining, with a lock device, a first distance of a mobile device from the lock device, wherein the mobile device is associated with a credential that authorizes access to an area protected by the lock device; 
 determining, with the lock device, a second distance of the mobile device from the lock device at a time subsequent to the determination of the first distance; 
 detecting, with the lock device, an intent action by a user of the mobile device; 
 ignoring, with the lock device, possible intent actions by the user for a period of time subsequent to the determination of the second distance if the second distance is greater than the first distance; and 
 unlocking the lock device in response to determinations that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device, the second distance is not greater than the first distance, and the intent action is an approved intent action. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device and the mobile device communicate via Bluetooth communication. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the credential must be received by the lock device before the intent action is detected by the lock device in order for the lock device to unlock. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the credential must be received and the intent action must be detected within a predetermined timeframe. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device includes an accelerometer structured to detect the intent action of the user. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intent action includes at least one of rotating a lever, pressing a thumbpiece on the lock device, kicking a door, knocking on the door, and bumping a car key fob to the door. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 ignoring all subsequent intent actions for a period of time if a first intent action was received by the lock device before the credential. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device is structured to require two or more intent actions within a predetermined period of time to unlock. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus, comprising:
 a lock device configured to determine a first distance between a mobile device and the lock device, determine a second distance between the mobile device and the lock device at a time subsequent to the determination of the first distance, detect an intent action by a user of the mobile device, ignore possible intent actions by the user for a period of time subsequent to the determination of the second distance if the second distance is greater than the first distance, and unlock a lock mechanism of the lock device in response to determinations that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device, the second distance is not greater than the first distance, and the intent action is an approved intent action; and 
 wherein the mobile device is associated with a credential that authorizes access to an area protected by the lock device. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lock device and the mobile device communicate via Bluetooth communication. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the credential must be received by the lock device before the intent action is detected by the lock device in order for the lock device to unlock. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the credential must be received and the intent action must be detected within a predetermined timeframe. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lock device includes an accelerometer structured to detect the intent action of the user. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the intent action includes at least one of rotating a lever, pressing a thumbpiece on the lock device, kicking a door, knocking on the door, and bumping a car key fob to the door. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lock device is further configured to ignore all subsequent intent actions for a period of time if a first intent action was received by the lock device before the credential. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lock device is structured to require two or more intent actions within a predetermined period of time to unlock. 
     
     
       18. A system, comprising:
 a smartphone; and 
 a lock device configured to determine a first distance between the smartphone and the lock device utilizing a first received signal strength indicator, determine a second distance between the smartphone and the lock device at a time subsequent to the determination of the first distance utilizing a second received signal strength indicator, detect an intent action by a user of the smartphone utilizing an accelerometer, ignore possible intent actions by the user for a period of time subsequent to the determination of the second distance if the second distance is greater than the first distance, and unlock a lock mechanism of the lock device in response to determinations that the smartphone is within a predetermined distance from the lock device, the second distance is not greater than the first distance, and the intent action is an approved intent action; and 
 wherein the smartphone is associated with a credential that authorizes access to an area protected by the lock device. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the intent action includes at least one of rotating a lever, pressing a thumbpiece on the lock device, kicking a door, knocking on the door, and bumping a car key fob to the door. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the lock device is configured to receive the credential from the smartphone; and
 wherein to unlock the lock mechanism of the lock device comprises to unlock the lock mechanism of the lock device further in response to receipt and validation of the credential.